Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Good things come in small packages! Each Christmas there are many packages of different sizes nestled under the tree. The brightly colored wrappings and decorative ribbons please the eye and tantalize our curiosity about what special something could be inside each box. The biggest gifts draw the most attention. They are what you see right away. But it has been my experience that the best gifts are often the ones in the smallest packages.

Christmas 1988 was a special one for me. Dad and I had been dating for a couple of years and had decided to get married. He asked me at Thanksgiving but because we lived in two different states and didn’t see each other on a regular basis there was no time to make the engagement official. A month later, at Christmas, Dad presented me with a diamond ring. It was a small gift in size but the best gift I received.

When Dad gave me the ring it wasn’t just a piece of jewelry. It was the beginning of a relationship on a different level. We knew that we loved each other and would spend our lives helping, protecting, sharing, encouraging, and working together. It was a gift that would last our lifetimes.

The very best Christmas gift ever given in history also came in a small package. The Son of God came as a tiny baby. He wasn’t wrapped in colorful blankets, but in strips of common cloth. He wasn’t laid in a comfortable cradle, but in a manger full of hay. His entrance into the world was very humble, but this tiny baby was so much more than any other child ever born.

His birth was accompanied by a bright star that led wise men from a distant land to search for Him. His birth was announced to shepherds on a hillside by angels of heaven. His birth gave the world a Savior, and through Him all who received would be blessed.

This child would be a king. The government of the whole world – physical and spiritual – would rest upon His shoulders. His many names would reflect all that He would bring to the world. He is the Wonderful Counselor – His infinite wisdom guides us in every and all circumstances. He is the Almighty God – nothing is outside of His power. He is the Eternal Father – He is one with God the Father and His kingdom will last forever. He is the Prince of Peace – His birth, death, and resurrection brought the possibility for peace with God for all who will believe in Him.

Good things come in small packages. And the best small package ever to come to earth was a tiny baby born in Bethlehem on Christmas day. This fragile human body contained all that each person could ever want or need – a Savior who could set them free from the tyranny of their sin and restore their relationship with God.

Give thanks for God’s small Package this Christmas. He is all you will ever need.

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

There’s a whole lot of “ticking” going on. Alone in our office I stepped out into the Event Center where our Clock & Watch Auction was set up. As I stood perusing the many timepieces that sat on the long tables, I noticed the ticking. It wasn’t very loud, but as I cocked my ear I could distinguish the soft pulse of hundreds of clocks beating out every second. “There certainly won’t be any excuse for the auction attenders to be late to their next appointments,” I chuckled. “Their timing should be perfect.”

Even if we all had hundreds of clocks reminding us of our commitments, there are times when humans are either early or late. It may be that heavy traffic slows us down or an unexpected phone call delays our departure. Other times we may underestimate the time it will take to arrive somewhere and end up sitting around waiting. It’s a good practice to be on time, but that doesn’t always happen.

Fortunately, for God’s children, we never have to worry about our Father being late or early. He is always right on time. There is never a circumstance that He has not foreseen. Each small detail is part of His plan to bring His will to pass at the appointed time.

This is so clear in the Christmas story. I find it fascinating the Old Testament prophets foretold details of the birth of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Micah 5:2 reveals that this newborn king would be born in the town of Bethlehem.

When you read the account of Christ’s birth in the book of Luke you see how all the pieces fell into place. At a certain time Caesar Augustus decided that he should take a census of all the Roman world. All of the citizens had to return to the city of their ancestors where they were required to register. Mary and Joseph took the journey to Bethlehem, and while they were there the baby Jesus was born.

Think about the impeccable timing that was needed for everything to work out right. Mary had to get pregnant at just the right time. Augustus Caesar had to issue the decree at the appropriate time to bring them to Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph’s trip had to be timed perfectly. They couldn’t get stopped by a traffic jam or they might have had the baby on the way.

God had planned the birth of His Son before the world even began, and He made sure that every detail fell into place. He accounted for every tick of the clock and not one event occurred too early or too late.

What a comfort it is to know that this same God has all the events of our lives ordered out carefully. When we are concerned about a problem we are experiencing, we never have to worry that God will show up late.

So if you are desperately waiting on an answer to prayer, consider the Christmas story. Even if there is a whole lot of “ticking” going on there is no need to worry. God is in time, on time, every time.

Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.”

It is not easy to find your way in the dark. There are times in our country home when the electricity goes out. When it happens at night we usually fumble around looking for the oil lamps and matches. When we finally get one lit, it is easier to function until the electric company can restore our power. Without light there is often not much to do but to sit in the darkness and wait.

The Bible talks about people who live in darkness. It is not speaking about a lack of sunlight or of electricity. This darkness is a spiritual darkness. From the day that Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, man’s relationship with God has been broken. As people have chosen to live apart from God and His laws, the darkness has grown darker and darker. Today, after centuries of disobedience, our culture is fumbling around in blindness wondering why peoples’ lives are falling apart. They need a light to illuminate the truth.

The prophecy of Isaiah 9:2 promised that a great light would shine in the darkness. I find it interesting that throughout the Christmas story “light” is prevalent. When the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was announced to the shepherds, they were encamped in a dark field watching their sheep. Suddenly out of the darkness a bright light appeared. An Angel of the Lord announced the good news of the Savior’s birth. Soon the sky was filled with more light and a host of other angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men.” These humble shepherds who saw the light believed the angel’s message and went to Bethlehem to find the baby.

Hundreds of miles away there were some wise men. These Magi were very educated and had probably learned about the Old Testament prophecies of Jesus’ birth from the teachings of the ancient prophet, Daniel (Thank you, Pastor Craig, for this insight yesterday morning!). They saw a bright star in the dark night sky and recognized it as a sign from God. Remembering the prophecies of a King Who was to be born, they headed to Jerusalem to seek this King of the Jews. The light of the star led them to the house where the young Savior and His family were staying. When they found Him, they worshiped.

Spiritual darkness plagued the land, but God made sure that people of all different backgrounds had opportunity to see the light when it came. The Magi, who were well-educated and trained, saw the star and understood the meaning because of their knowledge. They chose to believe and act upon that belief. The shepherds, who were not educated, also saw a light. God sent them a choir of angels to help them understand since they did not have the same resources as the Magi. They also chose to believe and travel to Bethlehem in search of the baby Jesus.

Though our world today is blanketed in deep spiritual darkness, there is still a light shining. There will be no excuse for any who refuse to believe. God has given us His word, the Bible. He shines the light of His truth upon us and makes it clear for all – rich or poor, educated or uneducated, man or woman, boy or girl. The difference is whether or not we choose to believe and follow this light.

It is a very dark night when the electricity is out – but God has provided a light so we can find our way home. This light is Jesus Christ. Will you follow Him or ignore Him?

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ” (KJV)

Christmas is often a time of travel. Friends and families love to spend this special season together celebrating and giving gifts. By necessity many take a journey across town, across states, or even across country.

When I was growing up in New Jersey, my extended family lived relatively close. Every Christmas my aunts, uncles, and cousins would meet at Grandma & Grandpa Thomson’s house to celebrate the season together. After exchanging gifts we observed an annual tradition. All who wanted to go wrapped themselves in their warmest clothes, jumped in the car, and journeyed into New York City.

There we weathered the whipping winds and frostbiting cold to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Christmas tree standing proudly in Rockefeller Center. In my memory I can still see the graceful skaters circling the ice in front of the tree. I can still smell the acrid scent of fire and roasting chestnuts and feel the cold tightening my face. When we all had enough we headed back home to fill our stomachs with Grandma’s delicious dinner.

This Christmas Dad and I took a different kind of journey. We traveled to Holmes County to get away for a few days. While there we participated in a tradition that the people of the area have observed for a number of years – we joined the crowds on Saturday night and travelled back in time to relive the story of Jesus’ birth.

The registrars at the Wallhouse Hotel recorded our names for the royal census.

The shopkeepers of Bethlehem lined a large hallway trying to entice us to purchase their wares.

The innkeeper at the Carisle Inn gave the last available space, the stable, to a young pregnant couple and then turned the rest of us away.

King Herod, enthroned at Yoder’s Hardware store, became very angry when we told him we were seeking the newborn king and he sent us all away.

The shepherds and their flock of sheep camped out between two gift shops. We rejoiced with them as the angels, perched on the porch above us, proclaimed the good news that the Savior had been born and sang glory to God in the highest.

But the best part of all was arriving at The Farm at Walnut Creek’s Amish version of Bethlehem.

A horse-drawn wagon took us to the big wood frame barn where real camels, cattle, goats, sheep, and turtledoves resided. The Roman soldiers on horseback and the stirring Amish children’s choir singing popular Christmas hymns helped remind our hearts of the real reason for Christmas.

As we contemplated the live nativity, we remembered the longest Christmas journey of all. The Savior, Jesus Christ, travelled all the way from heaven to earth to be born as a human. Born to a poor family, Jesus entered the world in a stable. The Creator of the universe was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid to sleep in a manger full of hay. Why did He humble Himself? It was so that He could die to make it possible for you and me to become part of the family of God. What better gift could He give?

This Christmas, as you pack your things to travel across town, across states, or across country, make sure that you don’t forget to take the journey to Bethlehem. Open your Bibles and experience the greatest love story of all time.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed.”

I am having a time shortage crisis. It seems that life is just rushing by at 100 miles per hour. There never seem to be enough hours in the day to accomplish all that demands to be done.

Ours is probably the only house in the area that still has a pumpkin on the porch and no Christmas decorations up. There are only two weeks left until Christmas and I don’t have any gifts – but who cares because we don’t even have a tree to put them under yet. I am behind at work, there are dishes in the sink and laundry to be done.

These things all seem so important. But often in the hustle and bustle of the busiest season of the year you may find you are missing things that you will never again have the chance to experience.

Tonight I was reminded of this as I entered our small-town grocery store. While rushing in to grab something for dinner a man passed me in the parking lot and said, “Look at the sunset! Just a few minutes ago it was beautiful, but it is already fading away.” Glancing up I took in the vanishing remnants of the pink sky and sighed. With all the rushing around I had not taken the time to enjoy the blush of the setting sun and now I had missed my chance. “What else am I missing as I strive to accomplish all that is on my checklist?” I wondered.

Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby on Christmas. That day came suddenly when most weren’t expecting it. In fact, most people missed this important event. Maybe they were rushing around getting pumpkins off their porch and decorating for their next holiday season. Whatever pressing matters they had on their agendas, the never-ending list caused them to miss the star in the sky and the baby in the manger. The moment passed and they had missed their chance.

There is another day coming in the future when Jesus Christ will return to the earth. That day will also come suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye. Those who have accepted Christ as their Savior and are trusting in Him will be ready. Our temporary bodies will be changed so that they will be perfect and fit for eternity. Death will be conquered and we will live forever in heaven. But what about those who are caught up in the rush of everyday business and have not taken the time to get right with God? What will all the hustle and bustle be worth if they miss the Lord’s return because they were too busy?

There is a time shortage crisis for everyone – it never ends. So in the midst of all that needs to get done, make sure you don’t miss the things that you will never again have a chance to experience. Take time to enjoy a beautiful sunset before it disappears. Speak to a neighbor or friend about God’s plan of salvation. But most importantly make sure you are ready for the Lord’s return. It could happen in the twinkling of an eye!

Ephesians 5:3 “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

Christmas is a season we make lists. There are lists of things we need to do, lists of items we need to buy, and lists of gifts we hope to receive. It is easy to get caught up in the commercialism of the holiday, letting our minds dwell on all that is available for the consumer. Often we forget all the blessings we already have as we greedily consider what we hope will be under the tree Christmas morning. But as we let our minds wander down “Hope I Get It” Lane, there is another thing to consider. Most of what we are coveting is a package deal!

Regularly we have people call our office about a cute little cottage that is for sale. When they inquire about the property, the first thing we tell them is that the cute little cottage is part of a package deal. If you want to buy the one, then two other houses come with it. Though this is a wonderful opportunity for someone interested in a larger investment, the average buyer is not interested in owning three houses.

Similarly, the things that we want usually come as part of a package deal. If we desire more expensive “toys” then we have to take pains to protect them because the chance of theft or breakage becomes an issue. Who cares about a couple of dollars, but the big bucks need to be guarded carefully.

Other times we may covet someone else’s position. But that is a package deal too. Extra responsibilities take more time and multiply stress. More stress can cause less sleep. Less sleep can cause health problems or negative attitudes. Negative attitudes can damage relationships.

One could be tempted to covet someone else’s talents or looks. These, too, come with other baggage. Those who make it “big” in our world are often put into positions where they will be tempted with the sin of pride and even immorality. It is hard to stand strong morally in a culture that has a different value system than we do.

So when you are making your lists this Christmas, think carefully about what you wish for. Remember that our lives should be characterized by contentment and not greed. Be thankful for what you already have. And keep in mind – the things we want often come as part of a

Acts 2:3-4 “And divided tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.’

Remember the day we almost set the church on fire?

It was Christmas Eve and our family was asked to light the candles in the front of the sanctuary. There were at least 25-30 of them all neatly arranged on tiers covered with festive fabric. The moment came and John-Keith and Emily were the chosen ones. They took the old-fashioned lighters – the fancy kind with the wick that comes out of the end – and set about their task.

As the rest of us watched, I noticed that a piece of one lighter’s wick fell into one of the glass-contained candles. It concerned me, but there really wasn’t anything we could do in the middle of the special service. It didn’t look too dangerous, so after we were finished we sat down in the second row to enjoy the rest of the evening.

As I sang the familiar Christmas carols, my eyes kept darting to the candle in question. I heard murmurs behind and around me as the flame jumped higher and higher. It was evident that no one was listening to the order of the service as many in the service stared with varying levels of concern at the blaze that was steadily growing in strength and threatening to lick the cloth-covered table. Yet no one moved. It was like we were all in a trance.

Finally, Dad jumped up in front of the several hundred in attendance and started blowing and waving at the flames until they subsided. What a show, but the whole church gave out a sigh of relief. Later there were quite a few who thanked Dad for averting a huge disaster.

This now-funny memory came to my mind the other day as I was reading Acts 2. This chapter tells of another time that the church was really set on fire. Jesus had gone back to heaven after His resurrection. Many of His disciples were all sitting together in one place when all of a sudden there came a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind. From out of nowhere tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of those who were in attendance. They were each filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them power.

During this time there were many devout Jews from every nation dwelling in Jerusalem. They heard the sound of the mighty wind and came to see what was going on. As the multitude gathered, the people heard the disciples speaking about the mighty works of God in their own native languages. They were amazed and astonished.

Peter stood up and addressed them. He gave testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ and how He, the Son of God and the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures, had come to earth to provide a way for man to have a restored relationship with God. He did this through His death and resurrection.

Three thousand people were cut to the heart that day and received as truth the Word of God that was spoken. They returned to their homes filled with the peace that God’s salvation brings and the flame of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. They also began to tell the story and the fire of the message began to spread throughout the world. That was the start of something big!

As I think back to our experience all those years ago I am really glad our family wasn’t responsible for burning the church building down. But what if each believer in Christ responded as the disciples did to the Holy Spirit’s power today? What if we all shared the salvation message boldly with our friends and neighbors? That could be the start of something really big! The flame would grow stronger and stronger and maybe, just maybe, the world would catch on fire!

Change, change, change! The world is full of constant change. The seasons change, the weather changes, circumstances change, relationships change, and on and on the never-ending cycle goes.

As you children grow older the winds of change blow ever stronger on our family structure. This will be the first Christmas that we are not all together. Luke is traveling and will spend the holiday in another country where even communication is difficult because of time differences and phone service. The day after Christmas Emily will be heading to Tennessee for a friend’s wedding and John-Keith will be leaving for Florida with his girlfriend and her family.

As a mother who has always loved having my children around (remember how my favorite part of any trip was when we all were safely crammed in the car together) these changes are difficult. Though the future is bright, the valley of change is not comfortable.

That is why I am so thankful that our God never changes. In the midst of the upheaval of life there is a perfect constant. There is Someone Who will never leave nor forsake. There is Someone Who will never change His mind or forget. There is Someone Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And He is not affected in the least by any shift of circumstance.

Yet change in the human realm is not a bad thing. Change brings about new relationships and opportunities. Change provides us the ability to turn from sinful acts and attitudes and go another direction. Change affords the opportunity to grow in grace and knowledge. Change means ultimately, for believers in Christ, a departure from a world of sin and sadness to a new home where we will be forever with the Lord.

Yes, it’s going to be a different kind of Christmas this year – different but good. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, we can focus on our perfect, unchanging God. He made it possible for all of us Who believe in Him to spend eternity together with Him in His (and our) heavenly home. We will all be safely there together with Him – and that truly is my favorite part.

Psalm 33:20 “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.”

The Christmas season is one of expectations. There are very few in our consumer-oriented culture who escape the desire for something special and magical to happen Christmas morning. From the time we are children we are conditioned to ask for things we want and then hope that our desires will be fulfilled in the package under the tree.

When I was a child I hoped that I would get a new doll every year. I could hardly wait until Christmas morning when I would open the rectangular box that would hold my new baby. Each new doll was added to my family and I loved and cared for them all year long.

One summer, when I was about eight, I saw a doll that was a little different than my usual baby doll. American Girl dolls were not available at the time, but this doll was very similar. I thought she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and I asked if I could get her the following Christmas.

All throughout the fall I continued to hope and look forward to opening this special gift, but when Christmas morning rolled around there was some kind of confusion. I excitedly opened my beautiful doll’s box . . . only to be greeted by the strangest doll I had ever seen. She had yellow curly hair, wore granny glasses, was dressed in a blue poka-dotted outfit, and said interesting things when you pulled her string like, “Long ago, I was a little girl just like you!” I tried to act excited, but this Mrs. Beasley doll simply was not what I was hoping for.

We all laugh about this now, but it was a good lesson that taught me that life doesn’t always turn out the way you hope it will. That is why it is important to make sure your hope is in SomeONE and not in someTHING. This is what the Christmas season is really all about.

From the beginning of time God promised to send a Messiah to save the world from the sin that entered creation when Adam and Eve disobeyed. All through the years God’s people watched and waited expectantly for the Savior to come. One starry night in Bethlehem their hopes were fulfilled in the most unexpected way. A real live baby boy was born to a virgin in a dirty stable where she laid Him in a feed box manger. This child, Jesus, was the Son of God and was born to provide a way through His death and resurrection to restore the human race’s relationship with God.

American Girl Doll, Kit

Those who put their hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ will never be disappointed. Not only has He secured our eternal future in heaven, but He is our daily help and shield as we maneuver the disappointments this life will always bring.

Guess what! For my thirtieth birthday I opened up another rectangle box and inside was my very own American Girl doll, Kit. What a special surprise!

Yet even Kit can never compare to the first Christmas baby that was born in a stable beneath a shining heavenly star. This unspeakable gift that God sent to earth, His very own Son, will never disappoint! Put all your hopes in Him this Christmas season.